Bill & Kate
Well this is us, myself and my long suffering husband Bill - in our favourite spot in Chez Dauve, our beautifully restored, classic stone Charente farmhouse. The barn/gite, "Maison D'Hibou" is next door in the grounds of Chez Dauve.
We bought our French dream back in 2003 when we fell in love with a rather grand but sadly neglected 17th century Charentaise farmhouse. We then spent 10 years travelling back and forth to France, restoring the farmhouse to its former glory, whilst both still working full time. We then set about converting the barn into a wonderfully classic yet modern and charming gite. Bill is an engineer and did all the restoration work himself with help from friends and family when they visited - a real team effort.
The gite is available for a very few weeks in the summer months and I introduced Sewing Retreats in 2020 = though these were cancelled due to covid. 2022 saw our first sewing retreat which was a resounding success and in 2023 we had two successful sewing retreats - Ive been sewing for 60 years and though I didn’t pursue a career in sewing I finally got to immerse myself in my passion after re tiring in 2011. I teach small groups of ladies sewing in the UK and the sewing retreat seemed a natural progression.
We live both in France and the UK
Classic Interior
4 double/twin bedrooms (2 with ensuite and 2 with private bathrooms)
4 bathrooms in total
Large Open plan sewing area
Wifi
Stunning Exterior
Private garden with sun terrace
Al fresco eating area
Heated pool
sun loungers
In tranquil surroundings
exquisite views
"My husband of 50 years, Bill, is a miracle worker and retired engineer and did all the work himself with help from a close family friend, our two children and our son and son in law, who we can't thank enough. It was a real family affair and we all pitched in....et voila ..... 10 YEARS LATER - Maison D'Hibou at Chez Dauve was ready for business. The only professional tradesman employed during the whole of the renovation was an architect.
Kate Hughes
Come Sew with Kate
I have a passion for sewing which was nurtured by my mother who came from a family of tailors and seamstresses. I've been sewing for 60 years. My mother taught me everything and at the time I was eager just to get a garment finished but she drummed into me the importance of detail and patience.
I am not a professional sewist. At school I won prizes for sewing but sadly I was not encouraged to take that path for a living. I trained as a secretary and learned shorthand instead…..But when I retired in 2011 I started a small sewing club and offered lessons which were great fun and which blossomed into the French sewing holidays here in Barbezieux.
* I must stress that I am not a professional sewist but I do have a wealth of experience to draw upon. I ran local sewing club in the UK, from 2011 till recently. Then decided I could offer a better sewing experience by moving this operation to our gite in The Charente where we have a wealth of space, peace, calm and a beautiful space to learn and teach in.